Tentacular Walz

Is the waltz a work of art or music for everyday use? For the feet or for the ear? Or for the octopuses? But can octopuses actually waltz? They have their neurons spread all over their bodies, making it impossible to distinguish between brain and body. In a translation process, the embodied knowledge of the octopods is transferred into the Viennese waltz so that it can also be understood by human bodies.

right tentacle straight forwards | left tentacle forwards | right tentacle diagonally forwards from right tentacle | left tentacle straight back from left tentacle | right tentacle diagonally backwards from far right tentacle | left tentacle sideways from far left tentacle.

OCT.opus 25

The team of artists that go by the name of God’s Entertainment will be depositing a huge octopus replica in the pond near the Karlsplatz to offer us a new interpretation of Strauss’ waltzes.

This artistic ersatz for an octopus, representing an intriguing symbiosis between Strauss and cultural studies expert Donna Haraway, is designed to give us a completely new perspective on the waltz as such, with lively and provocative interpretations opening up unprecedented emotional and intellectual vistas on the music of Johann Strauss. With the help of an array of supporting artists, Strauss himself will conducting OCT.opus 25 and dancing to his own music. On five weekends, the project will be electrifying its audiences with humour, temperament, concerts, performances and dinners.